Three fire crews were called to a hotel room fire in Birmingham city centre on Tuesday evening, causing significant disruption to tram services in the area.
Incident Details
West Midlands Fire Service confirmed that crews from Ladywood, Handsworth, and Aston fire stations were dispatched to the scene at a hotel on Broad Street shortly after 6pm. Firefighters arrived to find a fire in a first-floor room of the hotel.
Crews used breathing apparatus and a hose reel jet to extinguish the blaze. The fire service said the fire was contained to the single room and was brought under control by 6:30pm.
Disruption to Tram Services
The incident caused major disruption to Midland Metro tram services, with trams unable to run between Birmingham Snow Hill and Grand Central due to the emergency response. The disruption affected services on the Wolverhampton to Birmingham line, with passengers advised to use alternative transport.
Transport for West Midlands said that trams resumed normal service shortly after 7pm once the fire had been extinguished and the scene was made safe.
Response and Investigation
West Midlands Fire Service said that the fire was believed to have been caused by an electrical fault. No injuries were reported, and the hotel was evacuated as a precaution. Firefighters remained at the scene for a short time to ensure the area was safe.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service said: "Crews worked quickly to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading. The cause is believed to be accidental, and we are reminding people to ensure they have working smoke alarms and to check electrical appliances regularly."
The hotel was able to reopen later that evening, and guests were allowed back into their rooms. The fire service has completed its investigation and no further action is expected.
